The Georgia Tech Model United Nations Hosts Conference

Posted October 30, 2017

The Georgia Tech Model United Nations (GTMUN) hosted its annual two-day conference for high school students this past 9th and 10th of October. The conference was held on Georgia Tech’s campus at Scheller College of Business with approximately 900 students participating.

During the two-day conference, students modeled the United Nations by researching their country’s stance and passing resolutions. Students were divided into committees that ranged from Security Council to World Health Organization. The World Health Organization covered topics related to combating bioterrorism and addressing the rise of pharmaceuticals.

Zara Albright, who served as the secretary general, is a third-year studying International Affairs and Spanish. She became involved with Model United Nations seven years ago and participated in a GTMUN High School Conference as a high school student. Albright said, “GTMUN 2017 was a special conference for me because when I was a senior in high school, I came to GTMUN as a delegate, and even though I didn't know yet at that point where I would be going to college, I decided that I wanted to be a Secretary General of GTMUN in my future.” 

“This year, I was lucky enough to achieve that goal with the help of an incredible secretariat team and a very talented staff of GT students,”  said Zara Albright, an undergraduate student in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs. “The staff and the delegates exceeded every expectation I had for them; I am so proud to have been a part of this year’s conference and so thankful to be sharing something I love with other students.” 

Vince Pedicino, the assistant director for Graduate Advising and Enrollment Services in the Sam Nunn School of International Affairs, is the GTMUN faculty advisor. He prepares Georgia Tech students for the conference through the course he teaches on International Institutions. Following this course, students should be able to use their skills in problem-solving and writing to prepare reports and present research.

The Georgia Tech Model UN was founded in 1998, and it strives to give students a forum, where they can use international affairs and politics to negotiate. Every year the delegates attend competitions at Georgetown University, Duke University, Emory University as well as regional conferences.